Faryal Makhdoom has said parts of the UK  were ‘backwards’ and has also spoken out against ‘haters’.

She also said she never wanted to be a role model and just wanted to be herself.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network ahead of her modelling catwalk debut with Asiana, Faryal Makhdoom shared her thoughts about the culture shock when moving from the US to Bolton. 

"I did a bit of modelling after I got married to Amir and when I had a baby it kind of just slowed down because my first priority is my child, even before my husband, even before myself. 

"But I think now, she's a bit older, I have help from my mum and a lot of help from my husband, I thought I should do something 'wow' for my fans. And I thought a catwalk would be really interesting."


Faryal spoke to BBC Asian Network about social media and the negativity she encounters online.

"I do get a lot of negativity. Being an American , it was a culture shock moving out here to the UK. 

"There are some parts, to be completely blunt, are backwards. 

"And I feel I get a lot of hate from some areas in the UK, whereas London not so much. Maybe Bolton a bit more. 

"Maybe I can't be the perfect role model people want me to be. I do get a lot of comments saying, 'My daughter's follow you and it's not nice. You're not a perfect example.'

"I never asked to be a role model. I'm just being myself. 

"Deep down I know I'm a great human being. I do like my fashion. I do like dressing up. I'm not a perfect Muslim, but I do try to be. I'm sure no-one is, you know?"

The 25-year-old social media star and entrepreneur revealed to BBC Asian Network how she has embraced fame since her marriage to boxing champion Amir Khan.

"I do enjoy being famous. I enjoy being a really successful athlete's wife. I do enjoy the love I get. 

"Of course I don't enjoy the negativity. But that's just part of being a boxer's wife. And that's another reason I can't leave England, because of the life I have here.

"Half of the places I go to, it's for free because it's Faryal Makhdoom! 

"I don't think I could move to Dubai because in England people know who Faryal Makhdoom is.

"If I go elsewhere, people will know who I am but maybe I won't get the same love.

"I want to be loyal to where I got it from, where it started from.

"I get people saying I sound like a bimbo. 

"First of all, I'm American, I'm not from the UK. That's why I sound like Kim Kardashian and other names people relate me to. 

"I'm a double major in PoliSci and journalism so I'm not as dumb as people say I am."